It was as though a rainbow had been set in her showery eyes. "He purposes
this?" she murmured; and rose out of her seat in a kind of ecstasy,--then
caught at its back, glooming with doubt. "I cannot believe it,--it is too
beautiful. Swear that you are not mocking me."
"I swear it," he said gravely, but his lips curled a little as he watched her
delight bring back her color, her smiles, her every fairy charm.
Throwing her arms about Dearwyn, who chanced to be nearest, she kissed her
repeatedly. "Think, mouse,--a queen! a queen! It was not for naught that I
dreamed an eagle flew over my head. Ah, how I shall cherish the dear little
one who has brought me this!" With her pleasure overflowing as of old in
rippling laughter, she turned to greet the King's foster-father who came
stalking toward her. "Now your ill humor no longer appears strange to me,
noble wolf, than which no better proof could be had that I have come into good
fortune! I pray you tell me when I am to leave, and who goes with me, and
every word of the plan, for I could eat them like sweets."
"Ulf Jarl will feed your ears later," Thorkel said gruffly. "Your safety on
the road is the charge of this battle-sapling." He jerked his head toward the
young Marshal. "You will leave for Northampton this afternoon, to get the
boy--and to get rid of you before the Lady of Normandy arrives.
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